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North American Class I railroads' annual investments boost the economy and benefit shippers, said Association of American Railroads President and CEO Edward Hamberger. The industry is expected to spend $24.5 billion in private dollars this year. "Our industry's leaders and investors know that 'deferred maintenance' is not a winning strategy, so these vital capital expenditures and maintenance investments will continue, particularly given railroads are growing market share to move even more freight in the future," Hamberger said.

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In a low-carbon energy economy, up to $283 billion in capital expenditures on liquefied natural gas projects could be dismantled by 2025 as the value of surplus gas and market strength decline, according to a Carbon Tracker Initiative analysis. However, "there is some room for gas demand growth" until 2040 amid continued strength in key gas markets, the analysis said. Meanwhile, an American Petroleum Institute spokesman said U.S. investments in gas development "will continue to serve as a great example of how we can grow the economy, create millions of jobs, build energy security and clean the air."

Elkhorn Investments has brought to Nasdaq an exchange-traded fund that buys stocks of companies that make the most efficient capital expenditures. The Elkhorn S&P 500 Capital Expenditures Portfolio is linked to the S&P 500 Capex Efficiency Index.

Capital expenditures and repair and maintenance spending in the lodging industry peaked during 2008, accounting for 16% of hotels' yearly revenue, according to a study set to be released by the International Society of Hospitality Consultants and the Hospitality Asset Managers Association. Resort properties outspent all other hotel types from 2007 to 2012, while real estate investment trust owners spent more than non-REITs with 9.5% of revenue.

Samsung Electronics, which has traditionally boosted its budget for capital expenditures every year except during the global financial crisis, has turned more cautious this year, putting its capital spending at about the same level as 2012, this article notes. "The key word for us in investment in 2013 is flexibility. We'll decide as the market demand dictates," Samsung's Robert Yi said.

Global carrier spending will decline by 7% this year to $98.6 billion although the outlook is brighter in North America, where investment will rise by 2.1%, ABI Research estimates. The firm cites a reluctance by some carriers to spend money among economic uneasiness and a maturing network, but in North America, accelerated spending on 4G infrastructure is expected to spark modest growth. ABI also predicts that global capital spending will rebound to a 6% increase in 2014 due to 4G investments.